Has examined feet of many partridges, but has not been able to obtain any quantity of mud from them.
Has examined feet of many partridges, but has not been able to obtain any quantity of mud from them.
Mentions reactions to Origin. It will "horrify and disgust" TCE.
Some authorities approve more than CD expected.
Asks about the period of gestation in dogs.
Has received the shipment of skeletons of fowls. Asks TCE species name of Gungla cock. Mentions other specimens.
Discusses results of his examination of fowls’ skeletons. Wants to quote TCE on variation in skeletons of allied species. Asks about skulls of birds with topknots.
Thanks TCE for telling him of his crossed pigs. When they are grown, he would like to know whether they resemble each other.
Doubts the half-bred Gallus sonnerati will be productive, though he was assured many years ago that such a fertile half-breed once occurred.
Asks TCE to confirm some general statements on resemblances in skeletons of birds of same genus.
Sends photograph. Asks CD for his.
Asks TCE to verify whether otter-hounds have more skin between their toes than other hounds. Also interested in cases of infertile matings between normally fertile individuals.
Thanks TCE for information about breeding
and for his promise to measure feet of otter-hounds [see Variation 1: 39–40].
Sends a copy of his Osteologia avium.
Variation in pigs’ heads
and in Convolvulus.
Thanks TCE for copy of his book [Osteologia avium (1867)].
Recalls visits to Eyton.
Is trying to determine conditions governing whether or not a salmon will rise for a fly.
Has heard that book by Alphonse M[ilne]-Edwards [? Recherches anatomiques et paléontologiques, 4 vols. (1867–71)] is excellent.
Asks when horns appear on young male fallow deer.
On development of horns in fawns of fallow deer.
Further observations on horns of fallow deer. Sends fawn’s head.
Thanks TCE for fawn’s head.
Comments on dubious story involving natural history of Formosa. Suggests that Robert Swinhoe could give an answer.
Disagrees with the "Darwinian theory"; does not see evidence enough to support it. Will send CD any notes he makes for or against.
Thanks for facts about ducks.
Thinks TCE will be converted to principle of evolution if he continues testing facts for and against it. Natural selection is another question.